Russia Expands Shadow Fleet to Include LNG Carriers Amid EU Sanctions

Russia is expanding its shadow fleet to include liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers as it prepares for tougher European Union sanctions set to take effect in 2027, according to a report by the Financial Times.

The Kremlin has increased its fleet of LNG tankers to 25 vessels, acquiring at least eight second-hand LNG carriers over the past six months alone. The fleet has also been reinforced by the first two LNG tankers built at Russia's Zvezda shipyard.

Industry experts note that building a fully operational shadow fleet for LNG is significantly more difficult than creating one for oil exports, due to the specialized cryogenic storage systems required and strict ice-class standards for ships operating from Arctic projects.